BILLERICA -- Officials are in no rush to "fast-track" a medical-marijuana dispensary in town.

However, they won't totally rule out the possibility of one, either.

Billerica selectmen on Monday moved forward in the medical-marijuana process, telling the Police Department to conduct detailed background checks of the two potential companies.

In addition, selectmen told Police Chief Dan Rosa to ask the state for more information about the impact of recreational marijuana legalization, which may pass later this year in Massachusetts.

Selectmen Chairman John Piscatelli said his two major concerns are the background checks and the recreational-use impact.

"One of the companies told us that towns that had medical dispensaries would be protected from a recreational dispensary if marijuana becomes legal in November," Piscatelli said.

"If that is true, then I'm very interested in exploring a relationship with a medical dispensary," he added. "I'm a whole lot less interested if that's not true."

Piscatelli advised the police chief to validate whether that's correct with the state Department of Public Health.

In addition, similar to vetting store managers for liquor licenses, Rosa will ask the two companies whether they consent to background checks.

Town Manager John Curran recommended a vetting process "so there are no surprises.

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It's important that the board keeps an open mind about a medical dispensary, according to Selectman Dan Burns. He said he's spoken with numerous residents who have prescriptions for medical marijuana.

"I would definitely like to learn more," Burns said. "We need to keep in mind that people are benefiting from this.

"We definitely need to be cautious, and have the proper guidelines and controls in place," he added.

On Sunday, The Sun published a report about one of the two companies seeking a medical-marijuana dispensary in Billerica.

David Vining, the husband of Cardiac Arrhythmia Syndromes (CAS) Foundation's CEO, is a convicted felon; state regulations for medical-marijuana dispensaries say no one with a felony conviction may be involved in any such facility.

Vining has been representing CAS Foundation in front of Billerica selectmen, but he is not listed on CAS Foundation's application with the state.

In 1997, Vining, of Andover, pleaded guilty to a three-count charge that he conspired with two insurance agents to evade workers' compensation insurance premiums for his company, Vining Disposal. Vining was fined $250,000 and sentenced to two years probation on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud and wire fraud. The judge also ordered Vining to pay more than $475,000 in restitution to the insurance companies.

State regulations for medical-marijuana dispensaries define a dispensary agent as a board member, director, employee, executive, manager or volunteer. An employee includes a consultant or contractor who provides on-site services related to the cultivation, harvesting, preparation, packaging, storage, testing or dispensing of marijuana.

In a statement responding to questions from The Sun, Vining said he has "never been an Officer, Director or Employee of the CAS Foundation."

In addition to CAS Foundation, MassMedicum is interested in locating a dispensary in Billerica. MassMedicum, which has been awarded a provisional dispensary license in Taunton, wants to locate at 18 Republic Road in Billerica. CAS Foundation has not specified a location in town.

MassMedicum Corp., a "pharmacy model" dispensary, is proposing to share 2.5 percent of gross revenue with the town, up to $4 million. Anything above $4 million will be at 3.75 percent.

CAS Foundation is proposing to share 3 percent of gross revenue with the town, up to $4 million. All dollars over $4 million would be a 4 percent share.

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